Night's Pleasure Read Free

satisfaction. Sooner or later, the need for fresh blood drawn from human prey became overwhelming.
    It had always been so easy for his brother, Rafe. Rane remembered their first hunt, remembered the woman their father had chosen, the way she had felt in his arms, the enticing beat of her heart, the intoxicating scent of her blood. He had wanted to drink and drink until there was nothing left.
    â€œWe’re not going to kill her,” their father had said, and Rafe had dutifully obeyed. Rane had complied, as well. What other choice had he had with his father standing there, watching?
    But later, when Rafe and his parents were occupied elsewhere, Rane had left the house. He had found a young woman plying her trade on a dark street where nice people didn’t go, and he had taken her. Oh, he had given her pleasure first—she had deserved that much—but in the end, he had taken what he so desperately craved. He had taken her blood, her memories, her life.
    Taken it all, and reveled in the taking.
    And in so doing, had damned himself for all eternity.
    Â 
    Savanah huddled deeper into her jacket, wondering if Santoro the Magnificent had somehow managed to slip past her in the dark. Of course, being a master magician, she supposed he could have just turned into a bird and flown away. She had lost track of the number of times she had seen his act. Each time, his tricks had been more amazing, more spectacular, than the last. Each time, her curiosity about his prowess had grown. He was no ordinary magician. Of that she was certain. But if his tricks weren’t tricks, what were they, and how on Earth did he do them? She didn’t believe for a minute that he had sold his soul to Satan, and yet…it made for interesting speculation. She had read countless stories of men and women who had made deals with the devil, trading their souls for youth or longevity, for power or wealth. But they were just fables. At least, she had always thought so, until now.
    She waited another half an hour before giving up. He wouldn’t elude her tomorrow night. One way or another, she was determined to talk to him. Not only was she eager to satisfy her own curiosity about the man, but she was slated to write an article about him for the local paper. In addition to that, she hoped to include him in a book she was thinking of writing about famous magicians, past and present, magicians like Houdini, David Copperfield, and Criss Angel.
    Turning up the collar of her coat, she returned to the parking lot for her car and drove home.
    When she entered the living room, she found her father sitting in his favorite easy chair watching a high-stakes poker game on the satellite screen.
    â€œHi, sweetie,” he said. “How was the show?”
    â€œAmazing, as always.” Taking off her coat, she hung it in the hall closet, then kissed her dad on the cheek before dropping down on the sofa and kicking off her shoes.
    â€œDid you get to interview him?” William Gentry asked.
    â€œNo, I didn’t see him.” She hated to admit defeat, especially since her father was the one who had given her the assignment. If necessary, she would just write the article without the interview.
    Her father chuckled softly. “Seems like he’s a hard one to catch. Are you going to try again?”
    â€œSure, if you want me to, but honestly, Dad, I don’t know why you’re so determined about this. The man is a great magician, but it’s not like he’s a rock star or anything. I mean, how many people even know who he is?”
    â€œIf it’s too hard for you, just let it go.”
    Savanah’s eyes narrowed. “Did I say that?”
    â€œSo, you’ll try again?”
    â€œOf course, and I’ll get him. You just wait and see.”
    â€œI don’t doubt it for a minute. It’ll make a good story.”
    â€œI hope so.”
    For the last five years, her father had been the editor-in-chief of